Reflections, post turn over…
In late August, Ukarimu House hosted a major event marking a major turning point in Ukarimu Ministries’ history – the installation of new leadership and the stepping aside of Chip and I as directors of the ministry to take a more background role. Ian and Stella Orunga (with whom we have been working for the past 5 years in student ministry and the running of Ukarimu House), were installed as Ukarimu Ministries Directors. They will continue coordinating the student ministry, but will also run Ukarimu House, which includes hosting of groups using the facilities, hosting and seeing to the smooth running of seminars and courses (like Reality Check), and tending to any resident students. We have every confidence in them because they have proven themselves over the past 5 years. When we first approached Ian and Stella about possibly taking on the student arm of the ministry years ago, we were amused at the way it worked out. We had carefully invited them to dinner (you know, to soften them up a bit!), chatted about other stuff for a while, then dropped the bomb on them. We were basically asking them if they wanted to work pretty much full time with university students, without pay! We would provide a place to live, health coverage, and transport, along with our appreciation and guidance. Wow…what a deal! So, we wound up with something like “We were wondering if you might be willing to consider accepting this work. We know you will probably want to take a bit of time to think it over and pray about it…” and they immediately replied “Yes, we will!” “Wait, what? Don’t you want time to think it over?” They replied that God had already been calling them to this kind of ministry, they were very certain, and here is the open door. They really were certain, and they’ve never looked back!
In addition, Barnabas and Grace Achoki were installed as Marriage and Family Ministry Coordinators and will be taking over the planning and running of the Reality Check courses (both The Journey Begins, for newly-weds and the new, Mid Journey for couples married 6-18 years). They will also take on the mantle of counseling couples who come to Ukarimu for help, engage in premarital counseling, and facilitate marriage and family seminars upon invitation by churches. How we met this couple is interesting. We had made public yet another plea for any pastor knowing anyone who we might consider to take on this ministry and at the beginning of 2023, heard from the Bishop of Destiny Chapel, saying he had a couple in mind whom he thought might fit the bill. He put us in contact with each other, we scheduled a Saturday morning meeting and hit it off immediately. We yakked and shared visions all morning and discovered our visions for marriage and family ministry meshed well. In addition, a good friendship budded. We have worked in this ministry with the Achokis all through 2023 and 2024, gradually turning over more ministry to them, as we all test-drove a partnership. In due time, Ukarimu Ministries Board agreed with us that this was the way to go, and we drafted a 5-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding, turning over the marriage arm of Ukarimu Ministries over to the Achokis to run, under the directorship of the Orungas. Most of the marriage ministry will continue to be hosted at Ukarimu House.
Last, but certainly not least, Amanda Kingsbury Mugwe (our daughter) was installed in a brand-new position of Partnership Liaison Coordinator. This was another direct answer to prayer. Chip and I have been historically very careful about not creating a ministry dynasty by insisting on our kids taking on our ministry. We firmly believe the ministry needs to be fully locally owned and run. Therefore, we never approached any of our offspring with the idea of succession. Both Sam and Amanda had grown up with Ukarimu Ministries (Josh was already at college and so not involved), but especially Amanda, as Sam was in boarding high school by then and only sporadically involved during school breaks. Amanda lived and breathed Ukarimu. But…we did not want to impose any dynastic ideas of succession on her and said nothing. However, I was increasingly becoming concerned about how to keep all the diverse areas of ministry of Ukarimu Ministries from scattering and possibly dying (as hot coals which become separated do), upon our eventual retirement. I also was wondering how we would keep international partners and supporters connected to the ministry when others were directing it, as well as how on earth to raise a local base of support. I had no idea and was continually presenting this concern to God. One day our son-in-law, Thuo (Amanda’s husband), approached us, requesting for the two of them to meet with Chip and I. So, we did, and Amanda proceeded to share with us her own concerns with Ukarimu Ministries (the exact concerns I was having) and her desire to be involved in a way that would be fitting her knowledge of the ministry and her own giftings and calling. She was volunteering to serve in the exact areas of our concerns. Finally, we realized that this was the Partnership Liaison position we needed, and here we already had the person to fill it! Amazing! God had gone before us and was secretly talking with Amanda about it unbeknownst to us! Amanda’s responsibilities will include communication, such as our regular email updates (sent to both local and international partners), building a base of local support here in Kenya, and keeping in touch with international partners and supporters. She grew up in both local and international worlds and has connections in both. Ideal. She will be under the directorship of the Orungas too.
Yes, we’re excited about the possibilities ahead of Ukarimu Ministries under this new leadership, who bring fresh ideas, energy, and relevant understanding of the context within which Ukarimu seeks to minister. It is all good and we are both happy with the way things have been working out. We thank God for going before us and for bringing the right people on board in His own time and way – in fact in such a way that we could never doubt that these are the people He has chosen. Come back for part 2…
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